With a theme taken from Ephesians 6, "Having done all, stand ...," the convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin was held Oct. 27-28 at St. Paul's Parish, Modesto, Calif.

In his opening address the Rt. Rev. John-David M. Schofield, Bishop of San Joaquin, reviewed the various national crises which had occurred during the past year. He noted "the aparent unwillingness or inability of the House of Bishops to discipline itself," the challenge of "the authority" of General Convention resolutions, and "ultimately the authority of both scripture and the Book of Common Prayer." "In short," he said, "the (major) question before the church today is one of authority."

Quoting the convention theme, Bishop Schofield asserted that "to stand appears to give a message of inactivity," but the context "assumes all that has gone before.

It means taking up our spiritual weapons and fighting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that once we enter the battle we are able to hold our position. I believe this is precisely what we are doing in the Diocese of San Joaquin. For those of you who stand and withstand," he said, "your boldness and strength in the time of fuzziness of thinking and the preaching of myths to those with itching ears enables the body of Christ to become what the Lord prayed his church would be in a fallen world and from which he refused to remove it."

The convention welcomed the Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton, Bishop of Dallas, as the banquet speaker. Bishop Stanton noted that he had been ordained a priest 18 years earlier in San Joaquin. His address was interrupted by frequent laughter and applause.

It was announced diocesan-wide studies will be undertaken in 1996 to consider some decentralization with greater authority being designated to the six deaneries.

Resolutions adopted called upon diocesan members "to support every step needed to protect and save the lives of the unborn" as well as give support to women in pregnancy; a call for prayer for the national church and all its problems; urging greater recognition and support for clergy spouses and families; setting up a theological training fund to assist seminarians and the newly ordained.

A canonical amendment was adopted which brings the diocesan canons into conformity with the new Title IV of the national canons.

The congregation of Christ the King, Riverbank, was granted full parish status and lauded for accomplishing this three years after formation.

(The Ven.) Donald A. Seeks